Chapter 153- Hyrule Invasion - Part 1
Summary: Purah and Robbie work to create a Tab rune that mimics a Sheikah Tower shrine activation signal. Monsters attack Hyrule from some Sheikah shrines.
It was a rainy morning at the Royal Ancient Lab near Hyrule Castle the day after Mipha and Link returned from Eventide Island. Intermittent gusts of wind splashed rain against the lab windows, but Purah was paying no attention to it. Robbie watched as Purah moved from one pile of papers to another, flipping through them, then muttering to herself and moving on to the next. Finally, Robbie spoke up.
"What are you looking for, Dr. Purah?"
"Have you seen the Sheikah Tower plans?" Purah asked as she continued to look. "I could have sworn I put them on this side of the lab."
"Give me a moment," said Robbie, getting up. "I think you moved them over to this side. You should try to be better organized, Dr. Purah."
Robbie handed Purah a stack of papers.
"Yes, I know I should," said Purah, shaking her head. "It's just that I have so many ideas in my head at the same time. Help me go over what process the Sheikah Towers use to activate shrines. We want to duplicate that so Link can enter them."
"If I remember right, I think it's toward the back," said Robbie. "It's a special signal."
Purah found what she was looking for.
"Yes, I found it now, thanks," said Purah as she held a page. "This should do the trick. It shows the nature of the signal that the towers transmit to the shrines. We should see if we can recreate that same signal in the lab here first and then reproduce it in the field. No doubt, whatever we come up with won't have the strength or range of a Sheikah Tower, so it will only work locally. It will have to be used while standing near the shrine itself."
Purah and Robbie started looking over the information.
"It doesn't look too difficult," said Robbie as he read the plans over her shoulder. "I think I can develop this pretty quickly. I'm handy with this kind of work. Remember, I built a Tab from scratch? And we can combine the Sheikah Tower activation feature with the Sheikah Slate functionality to unlock the shrine once activated. That way, Link can enter at once."
"You sound very confident," said Purah.
"It shouldn't take me more than a day or two to get this to work. If you don't interrupt me to look for things, that is," said Robbie, and Purah gave him a face.
"That's a bit optimistic, though, isn't it?" said Purah. "You thought your last project would only take a week, and it took three."
"Fine, three days tops," said Robbie. "Let me get to work."
Meanwhile, in Zora's Domain, Lapha was floating near Midon in Mikau Lake and relaxing, enjoying the rain. Midon had been quiet and kept staring at his Tab.
"What are you doing, Midon?" said Lapha finally. "You haven't taken your eyes off your Tab since we ate breakfast."
"Sorry, Laff," said Midon, putting his Tab aside. "I'm watching the view from the top of Eventide Island."
"Hyrule Security at the Castle monitors those cameras," said Lapha. "You needn't check them."
"I'm not looking at it for security," said Midon. "I enjoy the view. You can see so much of the southern Hyrule coastline from there. Don't you ever access remote cameras to enjoy the view?"
"Sometimes, but rarely," said Lapha. "When I do, I prefer the views from the tops of the Sheikah Towers."
"Yes, those are impressive views, too," said Midon. "Are you taking time off from work now or what?"
"You could say I'm working in waves," said Lapha. "Right now, Dr. Purah and Dr. Robbie don't need my help. What about you?"
"I'm taking today off," said Midon. "Larena and I are leaving for Castle Town soon to meet her sister for lunch."
They both relaxed in the water and let the rain wash over them.
"You know, speaking of the top of Eventide Island, I overheard Mom and Dad talking there, and they are so sweet to each other," said Midon. "I mean, it's not what they say, but how they say it, their tone. The way they kid around with each other, it's got this undercurrent of affection. And it's like they never grew up."
"That's funny coming from someone else our big sister says never grew up," laughed Lapha. "It's called being in love, Midon, and it's ageless. Why are you so surprised? Besides, neither of them is that old. What are you thinking?"
"I don't know, probably not thinking at all," laughed Midon. "Or stating the obvious, which I know you scientists hate. Anyway, It's time I should go. Enjoy the rain!"
"Enjoy Castle Town," said Lapha.
Midon left to meet Larena on the Domain's lower level, and Lapha resumed soaking, closing her eyes.
Meanwhile, Mipha, Link, and Sidon were meeting with King Dorephan. Mipha and Link had explained their trip to Eventide Island, what they had done there, and Link's concerns.
"So, I suspect there is something wrong with the shrine at the top of the island," said Link as he finished his comments. "I hope Dr. Purah can figure out what to do next."
"I don't know," said King Dorephan, shaking his head. "Some of these things like time travel anomalies and Sheikah Shrines that shouldn't be there are getting too complicated for me. You both remain uneasy, though?"
"Yes, Father," said Link. "I recommend we keep our security at a high alert level."
"I agree," said Mipha.
"I will do as you both recommend and double the guards," said Sidon. "It means longer shifts for everyone, but they will understand. I just wish I knew what we were guarding ourselves against."
"Yes, that's the question that we're all asking ourselves," said Link.
The meeting ended shortly afterward.
"I think Sidon and I will need to give Father another pep talk soon," said Mipha as she and Link walked home together. "Whenever something complex comes up, he acts like he's too old to cope with it. But it's not true, and I know he's smarter than he pretends. He just needs things explained to him the right way."
"You can add my voice to that pep talk message if it helps," said Link. "I agree with you. He is astute. He let me marry his daughter, after all."
"Very funny," said Mipha. "It shows nobody is infallible."
"Now who's being funny?" laughed Link as he took her hand. "But seriously, I know Father is quite smart. I think he understands perfectly everything we just told him."
A week later, Purah called Link with good news about the rune she and Robbie had developed while Link was sitting with Mipha at home.
"We can push it to your Tab automatically in a minute," said Purah. "This should allow your Tab to activate a shrine and as well as open it. You can test it on the shrine right there in the Domain if you like. Let me see. I have the list of all the shrines you gave us. It's the Ne'ez Yohma Shrine."
"Yes, I'll do that right after I receive the rune," said Link.
"We didn't attempt to implement the Shrine travel gate feature as that would have delayed us even longer," said Purah, casting a sidelong glance at Robbie, who was ignoring her, pretending to be busy.
"That's fine. There aren't any other activated shrines to fast travel to, anyway. I'll let you know if I run into any problems," said Link as they ended the call.
Mipha overheard the conversation, and a moment later, a new rune appeared on Link's Tab. Link stood up to go.
"Shall we go?" said Link.
"You're going to try it right now?" Mipha asked.
"Yes, why not?" said Link. "I don't have to complete the shrine, just activate it and enter it, then I'll return."
They walked to the shrine in the lower level of the Domain, and Link pressed the rune and watched the shrine and the pedestal just outside it glow orange. Then he pressed his Tab against the pedestal, turning it blue, and the doors to the shrine swung open.
"It works just the way I remember it," said Link. "Let me enter it, and I'll be right back."
"Please don't do anything risky," said Mipha. "I won't be able to help you inside there."
"I won't, I promise," said Link as he kissed her. "Though, come to think of it, since they intended these shrines to train the hero, I'm not sure I would actually die if I was killed inside one."
"Not that I plan to test that, of course," Link added quickly, seeing the look on Mipha's face.
Link entered the shrine, and then he recalled you would need Stasis and Cryonis to solve this shrine the way they intended it. He returned the way he had entered.
"I'll let Purah know the rune works," said Link. "Perhaps we should plan another trip to Eventide Island. I'm eager to learn what's in that mysterious shrine there."
But before Link could return to Eventide Island, events overtook Hyrule.
It was three days later, and Queen Zelda was having breakfast alone with Astra. Her sleep had been troubled again last night, and it gave her a headache the next day.
"Are you okay, Mom?" said Astra finally. "You're so quiet, and you keep rubbing your head."
"I'm fine, sweetheart," said Zelda. "Well, not entirely. I have another one of those headaches I get after not sleeping well. Would you mind staying nearby today, in the Castle?"
"Okay, but is something wrong?" Astra asked. "I could help."
"No, nothing's wrong that I know of, but I'd just feel better knowing you were home and safe. I messaged your sister, asking her to do the same thing," said Zelda.
"Fine, then I'll go visit her," said Astra. "Horwell talks more now, Mom, and he's so cute!"
"I know, I spend time with him too," said Zelda, smiling. "But that's a perfect plan, sweetheart."
After finishing breakfast, Astra left to visit her sister's living quarters. Then Zelda returned to her office and called the Commander of the Army, General Haston.
"Your Majesty?" said General Haston by Tab.
"Have there been any reports of unusual activity anywhere, especially from Eventide Island?" said Zelda.
"No, Your Majesty, nothing," said Haston. "I gave orders to be notified at once should anything unusual be observed."
"Very well, thank you, General," said Zelda, ending the call.
She paced up and down, still feeling uneasy. When she felt like this, there was only one person she liked to speak with, and that was Link.
"Zelda?" said Link as he answered her call.
"You have a moment?" said Zelda.
"Always for you, of course," said Link. "What's wrong?"
"That's what's on my mind," said Zelda. "I've been getting strange dreams at night these days. But now I'm not sure if they're a bad omen or a side effect of Dr. Purah's age reduction process, maybe stirring up memories of my past. Did you have any bad memory reactions when you used Dr. Purah's rune?"
"No, not that I recall, though that was twenty years ago now, Zelda," said Link. "And besides, the shrine already injured my mind. So, I'm probably not a suitable test case."
"Yes, I suppose that's true, too," Zelda sighed. "Anyway, I feel uneasy, and I asked Astra and Zelda to stay home today. Please keep your blade by your side, Link."
"I always do, Zelda," said Link. "Well, as often as I can."
"All right, I won't keep you any longer, Link," said Zelda. "My love to the family."
She ended the call, then stared out the window.
But nothing happened until that evening.
It was a calm late night as two Zora guards were patrolling the Inogo Bridge and chatting. The only other sounds were the splash of rushing water from the Zora River and night insects' chirping.
"I know it's harder on all of us," said Jandon. "But double guard duty does have some advantages. It's less lonely, for one thing."
"True," laughed Landa. "But, I miss the lost time with my family."
Just then, they heard a noise coming from the direction of the shrine on the hill above them.
"Did you hear that?" said Jandon.
"Yes, coming from up there," said Landa as she pointed up the hill toward the shrine. "It sounded like a hiss. Call it in, and then let's investigate."
Jandon messaged their commander that they had heard something suspicious near the Inogo Bridge, then they both climbed up the small cliff toward it.
And then they saw something they had learned about but had never seen in person. A Lizalfos was standing there, looking about, seemingly unsure of its surroundings. It hissed and spat as it saw the guards. Then it lunged at the closest guard, which was Jandon, swinging its tail and knocking him to the ground with a sharp blow. Then it gave its attention to the other guard.
Jandon was injured, not killed, and so he called in the attack as he lay on the ground in pain.
"Send help! Lizalfos attack at the Inogo Bridge shrine!" Jandon messaged. He tried to stand but could not, as his leg was apparently broken.
The Lizalfos had a spear, and so did Landa. They fought spear to spear, the Lizalfos hopping back and forth and hissing. Landa was holding her own until another Lizalfos emerged from the shrine, struck Landa with the handle of its spear, sending her flying into the Zora River, the current carrying her swiftly downstream. Just then, a third Lizalfos appeared. The three Lizalfos began making their way down and across the Inogo Bridge as Jandon lay still to avoid their attention.
Meanwhile, the commander had received Jandon's message, ordered guards to go at once to assist, and immediately alerted Prince Sidon. The blaring of his Tab, an emergency alert, awakened Sidon.
"We're under attack!" said the Commander. "Lizalfos are emerging from the shrine near the Inogo Bridge. I already sent reinforcements."
"Lizalfos? From inside the shrine?" said Sidon. "Send guards to secure the other shrine as well, the one under the slumber pools."
Two guards were sent to the shrine at the center of the Domain, but so far, there was no sign of activity there.
There was no other nearby shrine, as there was no Shrine at Veiled Falls since Link had never completed the Ceremonial Song quest in this timeline.
Tab alarms had also gone off for Mipha and Link, and they both quickly rose from their slumber pool. They both glanced at their Tabs and read that the Domain was under attack by Lizalfos. Link threw on his clothes and picked up his sword, shield, and bow while Mipha picked up her Trident and bow.
"I'll let Mila know, and she can tell the others," said Link as he ran to Mila's room.
"Dad? What's wrong?" Mila answered upon being awoken.
"Lizalfos are attacking from Inogo Bridge," said Link. "Wake Midon and Lapha, and stay safe here. There will be two guards assigned to protect the house."
"What does this mean?" Mila asked.
"I don't know," said Link. "But Mom and I have to go."
"May Nayru protect you both!" said Mila. "We love you. Return home safe."
"We will, sweetheart," said Link as he kissed her on the forehead.
Then Mipha and Link left to meet Sidon, as they nodded at two guards who passed them on the way to guard their residence. Sidon was standing just outside the throne room.
"Do you have any more information before we go?" Link asked. "You can message us on the way too."
"All we know is that Lizalfos are attacking from the shrine by the Inogo Bridge," said Sidon. "There were two guards patrolling there, Landa and Jandon, but we have heard nothing from them since the alarm. I fear the worst, but we don't know for sure. We already sent two more guards, and they are on the way there. Two more will follow you."
"What about the shrine here?" said Link, looking at it and seeing two guards standing by the entrance. "You're guarding it, right?"
"Yes, but so far, no activity," said Sidon. "We stand ready, though, just in case."
"All right, we're on our way," said Link.
"You can handle this, brother," said Mipha. "You know what to do."
"Yes, I'll stay here and coordinate our defense and keep Father informed," said Sidon. "There may be other attacks from other locations. Stay safe!"
"It's faster to get there by water," said Mipha, taking Link's hand as they rushed to Ruto Lake and then dove in.
Mipha pulled Link along at high speed. As they surged across Ruto Lake, Link tried to think about what was happening. Lizalfos attacking from a shrine was Ganon's doing, and now he berated himself a bit for not believing his eyes at Eventide Island. But why attack the Domain from the shrine by Inogo Bridge? It would seem to make more sense to attack from within the Domain itself.
"I sense two guards behind us now," said Mipha. "There is nothing else besides fish nearby in the water."
Link nodded, keeping his mouth closed to avoid swallowing water. They passed under Ruto's Crossing and then continued onward under the low Oren Bridge, past the Bank of Wishes and over the two waterfalls. As they neared a spot close to where the river curved west, Link jerked Mipha's hand to get her attention. She turned to look, and Link pointed to the shore. Three Lizalfos were making their way along the path.
There was no way to stay concealed, so Mipha and Link both rushed ashore, and the battle was on. Though it really wasn't too much of a battle. Link had feared they might have been armed with shock arrows, but that proved not to be the case. Mipha finished her enemy fairly quickly with a spear thrust. And Link finished one Lizalfos with a flurry rush, as he sidestepped his enemy's spear attack. Then a spin attack took care of the second Lizalfos, who seemed undecided whether to attack him or Mipha. All three fallen Lizalfos disappeared in clouds of purple.
"They must have escaped the notice of the guards sent ahead of us," said Mipha. "The guards would have stayed in the water."
"Maybe we should travel the rest of the way on foot," said Link as he sheathed the sword that seals the darkness. "There may be more. They would probably keep to land and avoid the water here."
Lizalfos were excellent swimmers, but they knew enough not to challenge a Zora in the water. Mipha and Link encountered no more enemies, but when they reached the Inogo Bridge, two Zora guards were standing at the shrine entrance killing Lizalfos one-by-one as they emerged from the shrine.
"Lady Mipha, Jandon is injured over there," shouted one of the guards, pointing to where Jandon lay on the ground holding his leg.
Mipha nodded, then went over to tend to Jandon.
"Thank you, Jandon, for your bravery. Now hold still, and you will be fine in a moment," said Mipha as she used her healing magic on his leg.
"Bless you, Lady Mipha, and thank you," said Jandon. "I should have handled myself better. One Lizalfos struck Landa with its spear, and she floated off down the river. I pray she is all right."
"Don't blame yourself. It was an unexpected foe," said Mipha as she helped him up. "You stay here, and I will search for Landa."
Jandon rushed to join the other two guards.
"I want to look inside the shrine," said Link.
"Is that wise? You know how I feel about that," said Mipha.
"I know," said Link. "But I'm the only one who can investigate."
"Very well," said Mipha. "I trust you will be careful. I need to search for Landa downriver."
Mipha dove back in the water and swam further downstream until she saw Landa laying still against some rocks near the mouth of the river, carried there by the current. She rushed to her side, and she was alive but unconscious from the blow and the fall. Mipha held her in her arms, then gently spoke her name several times.
Landa blinked twice, opened her eyes, then looked at Mipha for a moment, unsure where she was. Then she remembered.
"Oh!" Landa cried.
"Stay still," said Mipha. "Are you hurt anywhere? I didn't see any wounds."
"No, Lady Mipha," said Landa. "Well, just a bruise where the end of the spear hit me, right here on my side."
"I'll heal it," said Mipha as she used her magic on the bruise.
"Do you know if my partner, Jandon, is safe?" Landa.
"Yes, he's fine now," said Mipha. "There. All healed now."
"Thank you," said Landa. "I should get back and help Jandon."
"Come, take my hand, I'm returning with you," said Mipha. "We can swim together. You still look a little groggy."
Mipha and Landa made their way back upstream to the shrine.
Meanwhile, Link was preparing to enter the shrine. He waited until they had killed a Lizalfos, then activated the shrine and took the elevator down. When he reached the floor below, the inside was teeming with Lizalfos, and the closest ones hissed at him when they saw him. He beat a hasty retreat to the surface.
"It's crawling with Lizalfos inside," said Link to the guards. "Ganon must be spawning them inside the shrine, but luckily they can only exit one at a time."
"But if they are exiting from other shrines, they could gather in force before we can detect them," said one of the guards.
Just then, Mipha and Landa returned, and at almost the same time, Link's Tab went off. He was still in the Royal Guards, and it was a message to all Hyrule soldiers. He read it at once.
"Hyrule Castle is also under attack," said Link to Mipha. "Things seem to be under control here for the moment. Let me see if I can learn what's happening at Hyrule Castle."
Link placed a call to Queen Zelda.
Meanwhile, earlier that night, at about the same time Sidon had been alerted, Queen Zelda had been awoken by a pair of Royal Guards as reports of monsters emerging from shrines in and around Hyrule Castle came in.
"Your Majesty, we are under attack by monsters," said the lead guard.
"Monsters? From where?" Zelda asked as she jumped up and threw on a robe.
"All I know at this point is that monsters are emerging from some old Sheikah Shrines in and around the Castle. They will know more at the command center, Your Majesty," said the guard.
"Is my family safe?" said Zelda.
"Yes, Princesses Astra and Zelda and Prince Horwell are together and being guarded. Prince Randall has gone to be with his unit," said the guard.
"Very well," said Zelda. "Then, we need to go to the command center at once."
When Zelda arrived at the command center, General Haston apprised her of the situation.
"We have reports of monsters emerging from some shrines," said Haston. "Specifically, the Saas Ko'sah Shrine by the pier, the Kata Chuki Shrine near the quarry, and the Noya Neha Shrine north of the Carok Bridge have all seen monsters. We have sent soldiers toward all three locations. There have been some early casualties, as the enemy took us by surprise, but we are holding our own so far now. We are battling the monsters that have already emerged and fighting our way back to the source, the shrines they came from."
"Are Purah, Robbie, and the other people at the Royal Ancient Lab safe?" Zelda asked.
"Yes, guards are holding that location secure as well," said Haston.
"Are there any reports from elsewhere in Hyrule?" Zelda asked.
"Nothing as of yet," said Haston.
"This is obviously Ganon's doing," said Zelda, shaking her head and muttering to herself. "But what are his plans, and where is he? Perhaps he is hiding to avoid our Divine Beasts, letting his underlings do his dirty work for now."
Just then, Zelda's Tab went off, and she saw it was Link.
"Link, are you okay?"
"Yes, but Lizalfos are attacking here from a shrine near the Inogo Bridge," said Link, his Tab on speaker so Mipha could hear. "The shrine is teeming with them. What about you? What's happening there?"
"Monsters are emerging from three shrines here," said Zelda. "This is obviously Ganon's doing, though where he may be and what his plan is, I have no idea."
"Your Majesty, excuse me, but we just got a report that monsters are attacking us from the Crenel Hills, pouring down from the peak. Our guards are trying to hold the Orsedd Bridge," said Haston. "We are sending reinforcements as we speak."
"I guess you heard that too, Link," said Zelda. "So, four shrines here are producing monsters."
Link turned to Mipha.
"Mipha, can you double-check with Sidon to see if we are being attacked from the shrine near the slumber pools?" Link asked.
"No, nothing," said Mipha after taking a moment to check. "Guards are there and report that there is no activity."
"New information!" shouted one of the officers in charge of communications. "The Akkala Citadel reports monsters from the Dah Hesho shrine are heading toward Tarrey Town. The Commander there has dispatched soldiers to intercept them and to protect the town."
"As you can hear, Link, events are unfolding rapidly. I have to go," said Zelda. "Let us know if your situation changes."
Zelda ended the call.
"I don't know what to do next," said Link.
"I must protect our Domain, of course," said Mipha. "Unless you are needed more urgently elsewhere, I would think you should do the same for now."
"Yes, of course, I swore an oath to do just that," said Link. "But so far, the attack here seems contained. We will need to relieve the guards with fresh ones as they tire, but they can handle one Lizalfos at a time."
Link paused to think.
"It just seems like a strange way to attack," said Link. "And why attack Tarrey Town at all? It has no strategic importance that I can think of."
"Perhaps we were fortunate to detect the attack here so soon," said Mipha. "Otherwise, the Lizalfos inside the shrine could have attacked our Domain together. Ganon may have counted on the element of surprise."
Yes, that's true," said Link. "But wouldn't Ganon know guards patrolled this area? And why isn't Ganon attacking himself? Could this be desperation on Ganon's part, hoping monsters can do enough harm to make his attack easier? I guess we will just have to wait for more pieces of the puzzle. But you know how frustrated I get doing nothing."
Meanwhile, Astra was sitting with Princess Zelda while Horwell slept in the adjoining room. Guards were stationed outside their door.
"I could be helping with combat instead of being shut in here," said Astra. "Have you heard from Randall?"
"He's with his unit guarding the pier," said Princess Zelda. "He messaged me a short time ago. Once they defeated some monsters who spawned earlier, he said they had the pier secure, fighting Lizalfos one at a time."
Astra was quiet.
"You know this means we didn't defeat Ganon after all, just an imitation," said Astra, finally.
"Yes, you're right," said Princess Zelda. "But if we hadn't done that, we wouldn't all be here now."
Meanwhile, Mila had awoken Midon and Lapha and informed them what was happening, and they gathered together at the dining room table. Linky and his family were away in North Hyrule.
"You know, we can help," said Midon. "I trained with Dad, and I have his combat ability, though I may be a bit out of practice. And Mila, you can heal any injuries."
"I know," said Mila. "And we will help if needed. But right now, Uncle Sidon wants us to stay put. He messaged me a moment ago saying that."
Just then, Lapha's Tab buzzed. It was Linky.
"What's going on, Laff?" Linky asked. "I have an alert that Hyrule is under attack, and Mom and Dad aren't answering."
"Mila and Midon are here with me at home, and we just awoke a few minutes ago," said Lapha. "You know about as much as we do so far unless Mila heard more."
"I think I should return there at once," said Linky.
"No, wait until we know more," said Mila. "The journey home may not be safe now."
"Are Mom and Dad all right?" Linky asked.
"As far as we know," said Mila. "They went to help repel the attack by the Inogo Bridge. But promise me you will stay where you are, for now, okay?"
"Yes, fine," said Linky. "I'll speak to you later."
Linky turned to Tila after ending the call, and they embraced.
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Linky asked.
"Not until we know more, sweetheart," said Tila as she held him and brushed his hair back. "I can tell you have your father's urge to strike out, to take action, and that's fine. But you have a family now, and we need you too. Once we know where we can assist, rest assured that we will."
"Yes, I suppose you're right," Linky sighed. "My Dad used to tell me the same thing. When he was younger, and before he had a family, he said he was headstrong, relying on his skills to keep him out of trouble. After he had children, he said, he started becoming more strategic, planning more carefully. I should learn that too."
"I need to call my sister now," said Tila. "She may have more information. Please stay with Tara, okay?"
"Yes, of course," Linky said as they kissed.
Tila moved away to have her call, and Linky returned to where Tara was sleeping. He gently slid into the slumber pool next to Tara, then kissed her lightly on the forehead. She didn't awaken, but reached out in her sleep and touched him, then stopped moving and was still, her hand resting on his shoulder. He stroked her hand once, then stayed still himself.
Tila was right. Until they knew more, it was foolish to go rushing around. It would be daylight soon, and perhaps that would bring more information.
